09/08/2026
I heard a quote the other day that said “If you can’t find joy in a cup of coffee, you certainly won’t find it in a yacht.” And I can’t stop ruminating on that. It has played like a broken record repetitively in my mind. We get so caught up in our daily routines, the chaos, the busy schedules, practices, sporting events, preparing meals, commuting- that we forget to pause and think about what brings us joy.
What do we value in life? What makes us happy? Is one more important than the other- values or joy? Or are they weaved together in significance.
There is value in connection. In a world of constant go, constant disconnect and disagreement- life becomes lonely during the game of dodging conflict of hurt. Having someone that has your back, knows your heart and is committed to protecting it- holds merit.
There is joy found in a divine sunrise, a break in the clouds after a storm, and a sultry sunset. More beautiful than any painting displayed in any art museum splashed right across the sky, free for our viewing from our windshield, our kitchen window, our morning run.
There is value in waking up with freedom to go about our day as we please. No rules or regulations regarding our attire, no covering of our hair or our faces. No fear of living in a bomb ridden community. No fear of a militia marching through our streets. The ability to teach our daughters to read and to write.
There is joy in cracking open a fresh novel that smells like it just left the printer. The smooth feeling of the pages that suck you into another world and transport you out of reality.
There is value in a relationship with God.
There is joy in breaking cycles, watching your children pass through the stages, becoming strong, powerful, intelligent, and kind.
Some people find value in money, some in non-tangibles.
Some people find joy navigating city lights, some people find it in the gnash and the groan of tires maneuvering a country road. Some find joy in the swish of a cast on glassy water, while others find it in the hollow pounding of ratty tennishoes on a dirt path.
There is value in health. Strong legs that carry you through the valleys and to the summit. Strong hearts that last through a marathon and concurrently through a heartbreak. Strong minds. Strong lungs. Strong arms that start out weak, but grow with the weight of baby to toddler to the child that still longs for the connection.
There is joy in the crunchy, guttural sound of the beans being ground to a fine powder. The steamy hiss of a shot being pulled and pouring into the metal dish, begging to be immersed in hot water and steamed cream. The first sip the touches your soul and simultaneously burns your lips.
There is value in that same cup of coffee. Because it was never really about coffee. It was about slowing down and enjoying something so simple as a ground up bean, hot water and some cream. Because the value lies in the simplicity. There’s value in sitting in a room with all walks of life, sharing a moment where everyone has different values, everyone has different joys, and the only thing they have in common is finding happiness in a warm cup of joy.
